Liquid container



Jan. 17, 1967 M. COHEN ETAL LIQUID CONTAINER Filed NOV. 23, 1964 'IW lVreadily accessible for use.

United States Patent ice 3,298,591 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 3,298,591LIQUID CONTAINER Max Cohen, Edward R. Elston, and Jack Rosenblum,Ontario, Calif., assignors to Insco Enterprises, Inc., Ontario, Calif.,a corporation of California Filed Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 413,077 16Claims. (Cl. 229-7) This invention relates to improvements in beveragecontainers of the type having a built-in sipping straw.

In dispensing beverages, as for example in a cafeteria or snack bar in aschool, industrial plant or the like, it is common to dispense theindividual orders of beverage in the same cartons in which the beveragesare supplied to the vendor. The consumer usually drinks the beverage bymeans of a sipping straw inserted into the container. Conventionalpractice requires that the sipping straw be provided separately from thecontainer. Accordingly, a supply of sipping straws must be provided fordistribution, one with each container of beverage sold.

The present invention provides an improved beverage container which hasa sipping straw incorporated therein. The straw is sealed in a sanitarymanner to the carton when the carton is lled, but the straw isthereafter Use of the present invention materially simplifies theprocedure by which individual servings of beverage are dispensed intheir own containers. Moreover, the operation of the device to place thestraw in position for use is simple and can be done easily byschoolchildren.

Generally speaking, this invention resides in liquid container having anenclosed volume and is comprised of the combination which includes meansdefining an aperture through a pontion of the container yto communicatethe enclosed volume with the exterior of the container. A sipping strawis disposed in the enclosed volume and extends through the aperture toan end disposed exteriorly of the container. Straw cover means areprovided for enclosing the end of the straw. The combination alsoincludes means for removably mounting the straw cover means to thecontainer so that the straw and the enclosed volume are sealed from theexterior of the container, and for sealing .the aperture around theouter circumference of the straw.

This invention also provides a novel method for equipping a liquidcontainer with a sipping straw. The method includes the step of securinga straw cover member to an exterior surface of the container by aquantity of liquid adhesive material. The method also includes the stepsof forming a hole through the cover member into the container, andinserting a sipping straw into the container through the hole while theadhesive material is in a plastic state so that the major portion of thelength of the straw and one end thereof are disposed in the containerand the other end of the straw is disposed in the cover member. Themethod further includes the step of setting the adhesive material tosecure the cover member to the container and to seal the straw to thecontainer. Additionally, the method includes sealing the end of the holespaced from the container.

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention laremore fully set forth in the following detailed description of preferredembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the topportion of a milk container or the like provided with a sipping strawaccording to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

Y FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another container embodying theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of acontainer showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portion of acontainer showing yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are elevation and plan views, respectively, showing theembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 in the environmentwith another type of container.

FIG. 1 shows a liquid container 10, such as a single serving milk cantonor the like, having an internal volume or chamber 11 enclosed by avertical tubular wall member 12 and a top 13. The top is secured to thewall element by crimping the upper extent of the wall member over theperipheral edges of the top to dene a liquidtight joint 14 around theupper end of the container. Preferably the container has a squareplanform configuration.

A circular pouring aperture 15 is formed through the top adjacent onecorner of the container. A closure element 16 is secured to the top 13and extends across the aperture. The closure member is considered hereinas a portion of the container top. The closure element is engaged withthe rim of the container by a crimped flange connection 17 (see FIG. 1).The container and closure member are fabricated of paperboard, and theclosure member is hingably connected to the container top by a staple18. A downwardly depending circular boss 19, defining an upwardlyopening recess 2t), is formed in the closure member. The boss is sizedto fit intimately into aperture 15 to seal the aperture.

The paperboard container and its closure member are treated to renderthem impervious to a liquid disposed in enclosed volume 11. Normally theinner and outer surfaces of the container are coated with a lm ofplastic or by a lm of paraffin wax.

The liquid container described above is well known in the packagingindustry and forms no part of this invention except in combination withthe structure described below.

An aperture 25 is formed through an upper portion of the container.Preferably the aperture is formed through closure member 16 centrally`of recess 20. A sipping straw 26, preferably fabricated of a length ofpliable plastic tubing having 4an outer diameter somewhat smaller thanthe diameter of aperture 25, is passed through the apenture. The strawhas a length greater than the depth of the container. The straw also hasan upper end 27 disposed within the vertical extent of recess 20. Theportion of the straw disposed outside the container is positioned in ahole 28 formed through a straw cover member 29 attached to the containerin recess 20. A quantity of adhesive 30 is disposed between the strawcover member and the container and removably secures the cover member tothe container circumferentially of aperture 25. Adhesive 30 also iillsthe annular space between the exterior of straw 26 and the edge ofapenture 25 and seals the aperture around the straw. This connectionbetween the straw and the container top serves to maintain the Vstraw ina predetermined position relative to the container, The connection,however, is frangible and is ruptured when it is desired to use thestraw. A sheet 31 of paper, plastic lm, or the like is secured to uppersurface of cover member 29 circumferentially of hole 28 and seals theupper end of the hole. This structure provides a sanitary seal aroundstraw 26 and prevents contamination of the contents of container 10. Inthe embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. l, the straw cove-r memberhas a thickness in the direction of hole 28 which is less than the depthof recess 20. Similarly, hole sealing sheet 31 is also disposed in therecess. This construction assures that the straw cover member will notbe removed from its sealing connection to the container until it isdesired that the straw be used.

As shown in FIGS. l and 2, cover member 29 has a substantially circularcentral portion 32 having a diameter which is less than the diameter ofthe recess. The cover member has a pair of radial etxensions 33 whichextend in opposite directions from central portion 32 into engagementwith the walls of the recess. Extensions 33 provide the means forpositioning the central portion of the cover member in the center ofrecess 20.

Straw cover member 29 is provided to define a protective sanitaryenclosure for the portion of the straw which extends exteriorly of thecontainer. The cover member preferably is fabricated from impermeable,multicellular foamed plastic such as tightly beaded polystyrene foam orpolyurethane foam in which the individual voids or bubbles in the foamare sealed from each other. It is preferred that the foamed plasticmaterial have a density of from 0.75 to 1.0 pound per cubic foot,inclusive Such a material is inexpensive and its use assures thatcontaminants in the vicinity of the container will be kept from thestraw and the interior of the container.

This invention includes a method whereby a container of liquid can beequipped with a sipping straw. Preferably, the container is equippedwith the straw after the container has been filled and closed. Aquantity of a hard-setting liquid adhesive is applied to the exterior ofthe container centrally of recess 20. It is preferred that the adhesiveproperties of the adhesive material be low since it is desired that thebond between the container and straw cover member 29 be ruptured readilywhen but not until the straw is to be used. It is also desired that theadhesive material when set or hardened have a low shear modulus ofelasticity so that the connection between the container and the straw ataperture 25 can be broken readily to enable the straw to be partiallywithdrawn from the container through the aperture. A preferred adhesivematerial for use in practicing this invention is a thermoplasticmaterial which has a melting point at about 100 F. A presently preferredadhesive material is paraiin wax. It will be understood, however, thatany wax having suitable adhesive properties may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the first stepin a presently preferred method of equipping a container with a sippingstraw is the application of a quantity of hot paraflin wax to the top ofcontainer 10 in recess 20.

While the wax is still in a plastic state, a straw cover member 29 isdisposed in the wax. Hole 28 and aperture 25 are then formed through thecover member and the container top, respectively, and a length ofpliable plastic tubing (straw 26) is passed through the hole and theaperture into the enclosed volume of the container. The upper end of thetubing is disposed in or coextensive with the upper end of hole 28. Thisis done while the wax is still in its plastic state. The wax flows intocontact with the straw about its exterior surface and bridges the gapbetween the straw and the edge of aperture 2S. It is preferred that amoderate force be applied to the cover member to press the cover memberagainst the container to assure the still'plastic wax ows intoengagement with the straw. The wax is then hardened to dene a frangiblebond between the container and the cover member and between thecontainer and the straw. Thereafter the upper end of hole 28 is sealedby securing sheet 31 of paper or plastic film to the upper surface ofthe straw cover member. Preferably the sheet is secured to the covermember by an additional quantity of hot parain wax.

The method described above can be used to equip a container with any ofthe structural combinations described herein.

When it is desired to use straw 26 to withdraw liquid from the interiorof container 10, the user of the container merely grasps straw covermember 29 and pulls on the cover member to rupture the bond between thecontainer and the cover member. After the cover member has been removed,the upper end of straw projecting above the top of the container inrecess 20 is grasped. The straw is pulled to break the frangibleconnection between the straw and the container top. The straw is thenwithdrawn a desired distance so that the upper end of the straw is acomfortable distance above the container.

Since the cover member is spaced from the walls of the recess on atleast opposite sides of the cover member, it is a simple matter for theuser of the container to grasp the cover member.

FIG. 3 shows a container 10 equipped with a circular cover member 35which has a diameter less than the diameter of recess 20. The covermember has a circular disc 36 of paper or plastic ilm secured to itsupper surface concentric to the cover member to seal a hole 37 in thecover member within which the upper end of the straw is disposed. Disc36 has a diameter less than the diameter of the cover member. Thisdimensional difference between the cover member and the disc assuresthat the disc will not be dislodged from the cover member when the covermember is grasped to remove it from the container. It is preferred thatthe cover member and the hole sealing disc are disposed within thevertical extent of the recess.

FIG. 4 shows, in cross-section, a portion of closure member 16 of acontainer 10. A straw cover member 40 is secured to the container inrecess 20 circumferentially of the straw by a quantity of adhesive 41.Cover member 40 has a circular plan form conguration. The cover memberhas a reduced diameter portion 42 intermediate its length along a hole43 within which the upper end of straw 26 is disposed. Adhesive 41 maybe yan adhesive which provides such a secure bond to the cover memberthat the cover member, rather than the bond between the adhesive and thecover member, is ruptured when the cover member is pulled upwardlyrelative to the container. In the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 4, the cover member is frangible and ruptures at reduced diameterportion 42 so that the upper end of the straw may be grasped and pulledupwardly through aperture 25. Preferably the cover member is fabricatedof impermeable multicellular foamed plastic material.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein a covermember 29 is provided with means for removing the cover member from therecess without causing the cover member to be ruptured adjacent the topof the container. A strip 45 of an impermeable flexible material, suchas polyethylene lm, is disposed so that it has one end 46 positionedbetween the container top and cover member 29. The strip is secured tothe bottom of recess 20 by a quantity 30 of adhesive material,preferably paraflin wax. The cover member is secured to the strip by asecond quantity 47 of adhesive material, preferably parafiin Wax. Theother end 48 of the strip, and the portion of the strip immediatelyadjacent thereto, are bonded to the upper side of the cover membercircumferentially of hole 28 by a third quantity 49 of adhesive material(preferably paraiiin wax) so that the upper end of the hole is sealed.End 48 of strip 45 is disposed laterally outwardly from the covermember. When it is desired to remove the cover member from the containerto expose the upper end of the straw 26, end 48 of the strip is pulled.The strip rst separates from the upper surface of the cover member.Continued application of force to the strip causes the strip to becomedetached from the container top. This detachment of the strip from thecontainer causes the cover member to be removed from around the straw.

FIG. 6 shows a container 60 which has a tubular vertical wall member 61and a top cover 62. The cover has a central portion 63 disposedtransversely of the interior of wall member 61 below the upper end 64 ofthe wall member. The top member has a reversely bent peripheral flange65 which extends first upwardly along the interior of the wall top fromcentral portion 63 and then downwardly over the upper end of the walls.The reversely bent portion of the top member is crimped and bonded tothe walls of the container to provide an airtight connection. In orderthat container 60 may be opened, the container is provided with a pairof foil strips 66 disposed between the reversely bent portions of thecontainer top and the wall member adjacent one corner of the container.The outer ends of the foil stn'ps are exposed. The container top isscored as at 67 between the spaced apart ends of the foil strips. Thecontainer is opened by grasping the exposed portions of foil strips andexerting force upwardly thereon to open the crimped connection betweenthe top and the walls of the container. The corner portion of thecontainer top is then hinged back along score line 67. Container 60,because `of the construction described above, defines an upwardly openrecess 68 co'extensive with the upper end of the container.

Container 60 is known in the packaging art and does not form a portionof this invention except` in combination with a sipping straw and itsprotective enclosure as described below.

An aperture 70 is formed t-hr-ough container top 62 in recess 68. Asipping straw 26 is passed through this aperture from the interior ofthe container and has its upper end 27 disposed within the verticalextent of the recess. A straw cover member 71 is secured to thecontainer top circumferentially of the upper end of the straw by anadhesive 72. A hole sealing element 73 is disposed across the upper endof a hole 74 through the cover member, within which the straw isdisposed, to close the hole. Preferably adhesive material 72, covermember 71, and hole sealing element 73 are identical to structure setforth above in the description of the structure shown in FIG. 3,although any of the lother structural arrangements described above maybe used without departing from the scope of this invention.

Several improved liquid containers equipped with sipping straws havebeen described above. These containers have the features that the strawis maintained by a protective enclosure in a sanitary condition prior tothe use of the straw, and that removal of the enclosure is simple. Acontainer equipped according to this invention is a marketable deviceand its utility is readily apparent, particularly in schools where thecontainer is to be use-d by small children .since complicated proceduresare not required to place the straw in condition for use.

While the invention has been described above in conjunction withspecific apparatus and procedural steps, such subject matter has beenset forth merely by way of example in conjunction with the explanationof presently preferred embodiments of the invention. These examples arenot to be considered as limiting the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume the combinationcomprising an aperture through a portion of the container communicati-ngthe enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a sipping strawdisposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to beexposed exteriorly of the container, the portion of the straw exteriorlyof the container bei-ng substantially aligned with the portion of thestraw within the enclosed volume, straw cover means enclosing theexposed portion of the straw, and means for removably mounting the strawcover means to the container and for sealing the straw and the enclosedvolume from the exterior of the container.

2. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume the 6 combinationcomprising an aperture through a portion of the container communicatingthe enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a sipping strawdisposed in the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to beexposed exteriorly of the container, the portion of the straw exteriorlyof the container being substantially aligned with the portion of thestraw Within the enclosed volume, straw cover means defining areceptacle for said exposed portion of the straw, and means forremovably securing the straw cover means to the containercircumferentially of the aperture so that the portion of the strawexposed exteriorly of the enclosed volume is sealed from the exterior ofthe container and for defining a frangible connection and seal betweenthe container and the outer surface of the straw.

3. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume and a top, thecombination comprising an aperture through the top communicating theenclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover memberhaving a hole therethrough mounted to the top exteriorly of the enclosedvolume with the hole aligned with the aperture, a sipping straw disposedin the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an endpositioned within the hole, means releasably securing the straw covermember to the container and sealing the aperture around the externalperipheral of the sipping straw, andmeans sealing the hole remote fromthe container.

4. In a liquid container having an enclosed volume, a top, and meansdefining a peripherally enclosed upwardly opening recess in the top, thecombination comprising an aperture through the top in the recesscommunicating the enclosed volume with the exterior of the container, astraw cover member having a hole therethrough mounted to the top withinthe recess exteriorily of the enclosed volume with the hole aligned withthe aperture, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume andextending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole,means releasably securing the straw cover member to the container in therecess and sealing the aperture around the external periphery of thesipping straw, and means sealing the hole remote from the container.

5. A liquid container according to claim 4 wherein the straw covermember is disposed so that the hole extends along a line substantiallynormal to the top.

6. A liquid container yaccording to claim 4 wherein the combined extentof the straW cover member and the hole sealing means along a line normalto the top is no greater than the depth of the recess.

7. A liquid container according to claim 6 wherein the straw covermember in at least one direction transversely of the recess has amaximum dimension less than the dimension of the recess in the samedirection.

8. In a liquid container having an encloed volume and a top, thecombination comprising an aperture through the top communicating theenclosed volume with the exterior of the container, a straw cover memberhaving a hole therethrough mounted to the top exteriorly of the enclosedvolume with the hole aligned with the aperture, a sipping straw disposedin the enclosed volume and extending through the aperture to an endpositioned within the hole, a quantity of wax securing the straw covermember to the container and sealing the aperture around the outerperiphery of the sipping straw, and means sealing the hole remote fromthe container.

9. A liquid container according to claim 8 wherein the straw covermember comprises a disc of impermeable multicellular plastic foammaterial.

10. A yliquid container according to claim 8 wherein the hole sealingmeans comprises a sheet of paper disposed across the hole and secured tothe straw cover member.

11. In a liquid container having an encloed volume, a top, and meansdefining a peripherally enclosed upwardly opening substantially circularrecess in the top, the combination comprising .an aperture through thetop in the recess communicating the enclosed volume with the exterior ofthe container, a straw cover member having a hole therethrough mountedto the top in the recess exteriorly of the enclosed volume so that thehole is aligned with the aperture and extends normal to the top, thestraw cover member being fabricated of impermeable multicellular plasticfoam material having a maximum dimension in at least one directiondiametrically of the recess less than the diameter `of the recess and amaximum dimension in the direction of the hole less than the depth ofthe recess, a sipping straw disposed in the enclosed volume andextending through the aperture to an end positioned within the hole, aquantity of wax disposed between the cover member and the top forsecuring the cover member to the container and for sealing the aperturearound the outer periphery of the sipping straw, and means sealing thehole remote from the container.

12. A liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the straw covermember in a direction transverse to said at least one direction extendsinto Contact with the limits of the recess at diametrically opposedlocations in the recess.

13. A liquid container according to claim 11 wherein the straw covermember comprises a circular disc of said plastic foam material.

14. A liquid container according to claim 13 wherein 25 the hole sealingmeans comprises a strip of impermeable flexible material disposedadjacent one end thereof across the hole at the end of the hole oppositefrom the container and sealed circumferentially of the hole to the strawcover member, the one end of the strip being disposed laterallyoutwardly of the straw cover member, the strip 5 adjacent its other endbeing secured between the straw cover member and the container top.

15. A liquid container according to claim 13 lwherein the disc has areduced diameter portion concentric to the hole.

16. A liquid container according to claim 15 wherein the disc has equaldiameters at its opposite sides and the reduced diameter portion islocated between the sides of the disc.

15 References Cited by the Examm er UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,2999/1936 Reed 53-14 2,392,479 1/ 1946 Humbert 229-7 20 2,663,981 12/1953Sanford 53-14 2,800,265 7/1957 Pugh 229-7 2,805,809 9/1957 Pugh 229-73,021,991 2/ 1962 Cohen et al 229-7 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

JOSPEH R. LECLAIR, DAVID M. BOCKENEK,

Examiners.

2. IN A LIQUID CONTAINER HAVING AN ENCLOSED VOLUME THE COMBINATIONCOMPRISING AN APERTURE THROUGH A PORTION OF THE CONTAINER COMMUNICATINGTHE ENCLOSED VOLUME WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER, A SIPPING STRAWDISPOSED IN THE ENCLOSED VOLUME AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE APERTURE TO BEEXPOSED EXTERIORLY OF THE CONTAINER, THE PORTION OF THE STRAW EXTERIORLYOF THE CONTAINER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE PORTION OF THESTRAW WITHIN THE ENCLOSED VOLUME, STRAW COVER MEANS DEFINING ARECEPTACLE FOR SAID